National American Indian Heritage Month

As Thanksgiving draws near, what better time to rethink the books you share with children about the history of our country and the role of Native Americans in it. You can encourage critical thinking skills as you discuss the history of Native Americans, a history that began long before Columbus arrived on our shore.

Why not begin with the proclamation President Obama made on October 29th, which closes with, “I call upon all American to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate November 26, 2010, as Native American Heritage Day.” ?

To find authentic, contemporary books, programs, and activities, look at the following websites:

Read our interview with Joseph Bruchac, a member of the Abenaki tribe, in Beyond Boundaries.

Dianne White has lived and traveled around the world. After a 25-year career in teaching, she now enjoys writing full-time from her home in Gilbert, AZ. Her first picture book, BLUE ON BLUE, illustrated by Caldecott artist Beth Krommes, is published by Beach Lane Books/S&S. GOODBYE BRINGS HELLO, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), and WHO EATS ORANGE?, illustrated by Robin Page (Beach Lane Books) are forthcoming in 2018. She can be found at www.diannewrites.com.